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From The Thaiger/ Business Insider The Embassy of Thailand rolled out the e-visa carpet for nine African nations on January 1 in a further bid to boost tourism. The popular e-visa programme is designed to bolster security and streamline the application process, as reported by VisaGuide.World. By simplifying the visa procedure, Thailand hopes to lure more visitors, vital for its thriving tourism sector. While Thailand’s tourism is heavily concentrated in major hubs like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, the rest of the country sees far fewer visitors, reported The South African. The Kingdom of Thailand offers a range of visas, including tourist visas, special tourist visas (STV) for long-term stays, and transit visas for quick stopovers. Non-immigrant visas cater to business, work, or educational purposes. These visas are available for single or multiple entries, subject to specific criteria. Applicants must prove their presence in one of the approved countries and provide all travel-related confirmations, including return flight details featuring the applicant’s name, travel dates, and all connecting flights from the country of origin to Thailand. In a statement, the Royal Thai Embassy announced it will no longer accept physical applications from citizens of the e-visa-approved countries. Eligible applicants must now submit their applications online via the embassy’s official website. Typically, visa applications are processed within five working days, although unforeseen delays can occur. Here are the approved countries, as highlighted by Business Insider: Federal Republic of Nigeria Republic of Benin Republic of Cameroon Republic of Ghana Central African Republic Republic of the Congo Republic of Equatorial Guinea Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Republic of Chad

Phoenix Massage on Inthamara 25 is offering a promotion of three, one-hour sessions for 1,000 baht on June 6-8. The offer may be shared with friends and does not expire. The tip is fixed at 1,200 per session. ============= Phetboy Massage is offering four, one-hour sessions for 1,150 baht that is valid until June 31.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Although Cambodia can be the cheapest of the tourist destinations in south east Asia, the authorities are heavily promoting bespoke packages for the truly wealthy. Chhay Sivlin, president of the main travel agents’ association, told the Khmer Times that the country isn’t just for backpackers and economy travellers. The UK Times newspaper seems to agree, recently ranking Cambodia as 13th in its list of 23 best luxury destinations. Several international companies, such as Jacada and Lux, have sprung up to cater for the new Cambodian market. They are promoting private islands such as Song Saa, a 45-minutes speedboat ride from Sihanoukville port, where a sumptuous villa will cost almost US$2,000. Not for a week but for a single night. Other options include helicopter rides over Angkor Wat and inclusive tours of historical sites nationwide in an airconditioned luxury Mercedes. As regards visas, Cambodia lacks the colorful array of choices offered in Thailand. However, annually renewable retirement visas are available from Phnom Penh immigration agents for as little as US$300. Required documentation is scanty and trouble free without the need to prove bank balances or address bureaucracy. A 10-year golden family visa is available for those investing US$100,000 in Cambodian property. It is also possible to buy Cambodian nationality with an investment or donation of US$300,000. Almost 7 million foreign visitors entered Cambodia in 2024 and the number is expected to rise substantially once the new hi-tech airport serving Phnom Penh, to be the ninth largest in the world, opens later this year. Phnom Penh based travel agent Chea Kim told Pattaya Mail, “Cambodia is now in direct competition with Thailand for the international tourists who are interested in an ultimate luxury lifestyle.” https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/cambodia-competes-with-thailand-for-top-end-luxury-tourists-486230

From Pattaya News A pickup truck driver deliberately rammed multiple motorcycles in the Takhiantia area near Pattaya, leaving several people injured, including a 47-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy in critical condition. The incident occurred on the evening of January 4th in the Takhiantia subdistrict of Chonburi province. It was reportedly a pickup truck intentionally rammed into several motorcycles in a small alley. Doctors at Pattaya Patthana Hospital had to perform emergency surgery on a 47-year-old woman due to serious internal injuries. A 17-year-old boy also sustained a serious head injury and had to be transferred to Chonburi Hospital for urgent treatment. Witnesses said the driver of the pickup truck, whose license plate is unknown, deliberately hit motorcycles along multiple roads, including Soi Takhiantia 35, 36, and 45. The collisions damaged many motorcycles and injured several riders. The victims were identified by police as Mr. Sommai Pewbang, 51, Mr. Sathorn Korakan, 23, Ms. Jirasaya Nonthapan, 47, and Mr. Yodthong, 17. The last two were in critical condition. https://thepattayanews.com/2025/01/06/pickup-driver-deliberately-rams-motorcycles-in-pattaya-area-critically-injuring-47-year-old-woman-and-17-year-old-boy/

From Bangkok Post PHUKET - A Russian man has told police he was attacked and robbed of US$700 in cash, about 20,000 baht, by another man speaking Russian in his hotel room in Phuket on Sunday night. The victim, whose details were not released, told police he was sleeping in a room at the hotel in tambon Karon of Muang district and was awoken about 8pm by someone knocking on the door. He said when he answered the door a Russian-speaking foreigner forced his way into the room and punched him in the face several times, and he fell to the floor, according to Karon station chief Pol Col Khundet Na Nongkhai. The victim said he could not fight back because had recently had stomach surgery. The intruder asked for an amount of money, but he had not known what the money was for at first. The intruder then shut the victim’s mouth with tape and bound him with a wire cord, and then put him on a phone to another Russian man. The victim recognized the voice as that of a man he had a problem with involving cryptocurrency business back in Russia. The victim told police he was threatened with death if he did not return 120,000 cryptodollars to the Russian on the phone. However, he did not give up his phone’s password, so the attacker failed to access his crypto account. The intruder then stole all his cash, about $700 in total. The victim told police his assailant tied him to the bathroom door and hit him on the back of the head with something hard, leaving him unconscious. When he awoke hours later he was alone in the room. Police investigators checked the hotel security recordings and noted that the suspect was a large man wearing a hoodie and a mask. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2933965/russian-beaten-robbed-in-phuket-hotel-room

It may ease your mind if you keep in mind that all the guys working the shops know exactly why you're there if you request oil massage. Granted, some customers may have greater interest in the actual massage portion of the session but all are focused to varying degrees on the afters. The masseur will take his clue from you. If you believe he's spending too much time on your legs, ask him to move on to your back. If you think he's spending to much time on your back, simply turn over. When working on your front side, many masseurs will position themselves within in easy reach of their goods. This presents you with an ideal opportunity to communicate your intentions.

Absolutely. Favor the guys who demonstrate interest in you. Don't waste time on guys with blank expression regardless of how attractive he might be. There's a guy who works in the Olivia's shop on Surawong who always smiles and sometimes reaches out to grab my hand as I pass by. Was always on my way someplace but I've never dismissed him from short list. Hope to connect on next trip because he sends all the right signals. Only thing I'd add is if manager tells you that you have to choose from rotation, or attempts to steer you to a chosen few guys, say thanks and move on to different shop.

Other videos available at https://www.youtube.com/@whitepartybkk/videos (Thanks to @paulsf for the tip)

From CNN Health What are you focusing on in the new year to improve your health? Regular exercise, of course, is a proven winner, as is eating plant-based meals. Getting more high-quality sleep, reducing stress, limiting alcohol and connecting with other people in meaningful ways are also key ways to boost well-being. However, there is one behavior change often overlooked when we think about improving our health in the new year: hydration. Water is the elixir of life, but few people make drinking enough a priority. Yet it’s so easy — there are no gyms to join, no meals to prepare, no need to scour the internet for a tasty mocktail — and experts say water’s benefits are almost too numerous to mention. Drinking plenty of water can improve blood pressure, diabetes, joint, gut and kidney health as well as ease migraines and boost the glow of your skin, among other benefits. “Staying optimally hydrated is a relatively easy lifestyle modification with potentially significant benefit: a longer disease-free life,” said Natalia Dmitrieva, a research scientist in the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. How can you add this one small thing to your daily life? Attach drinking a full glass of water to other key routines you do without thinking. Coffee or tea drinker? While you wait for your coffee to perk or your tea kettle to whistle, fill a glass with water (add ice if you prefer, like me) and drink it down while you wait. Continues at https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/05/health/drinking-water-wellness/index.html

From Straits Times Vietnam claim third Asean Championship BANGKOK – Despite losing star striker Rafaelson to injury, Vietnam claimed their third Asean Championship title with a 3-2 win over 10-man defending champions Thailand in the second leg of the final at the Rajamangala Stadium on Jan 5. Pansa Hemviboon’s 82nd-minute own goal and a stoppage-time effort from Nguyen Hai Long helped the Golden Star Warriors to a 5-3 aggregate victory, adding to their triumphs in 2008 and 2018. In the process, the Vietnamese also avenged their loss to the Thais in the previous final in 2022.

Conduct interviews when you're next in Pattaya. You may come up with another JD Vance.

One USD equates roughly to 35 baht so three would be same as a red note. I'm sure they're acceptable because that's what separates us from the animals: we take money.

From Pattaya News Authorities raided a Pattaya nightclub early this morning, detaining 39 patrons for alleged drug use after a violent incident allegedly involving the club’s staff attacking a Chinese tourist. At 3:36 AM on January 5th, 2025, Chonburi Governor Mr. Thawatchai Sritong, along with over 100 officers from the Pattaya Police Station and several other agencies, raided the Panda Club, located in the heart of Walking Street, following an incident over the New Year holidays when the club’s security staff allegedly assaulted a Chinese tourist, leaving the victim severely injured and still seeking medical care. Upon arrival, the team found the venue still open. Over 300 patrons, mainly Chinese nationals alongside Thai and other international tourists, were found drinking and dancing to the music. Authorities immediately halted all activities, turned on the lights, and stopped the music. Many patrons, unaware of the raid, continued enjoying themselves until officers stopped them and separated them into male and female groups for identity verification. The patrons’ identification cards and personal documents were checked, and urine samples were collected to test for drug use. Governor Mr. Thawatchai revealed to the media that the tests discovered over 39 individuals with positive results for drug use, though no illegal substances were found on the premises. There were no reports of any foreigners on overstay of their visa, which is also regularly checked during similar raids. The 39 individuals, including 19 men and 20 women, were taken into custody and transferred to the Pattaya Police Station for further legal proceedings. The police did not reveal their nationalities or the exact drugs the detainees were tested positive for. TPN media notes that the most common drugs tested for during similar raids is methamphetamine, ketamine, and cocaine. Cannabis is decriminalized in Thailand and not tested for. ======================= From Khaosod English Stranded at Sea: Tourists Forced to Pay Midway Through Trip KOH PHANGAN — Tourist safety concerns have emerged on the popular Thai island of Koh Phangan following social media reports of water taxi operators demanding payments from passengers in the middle of the sea. A social media post on January 4 detailed an incident where tourists were allegedly forced to make payments under duress during a late-night boat ride. According to the report, around 2 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, a group of approximately 20 passengers boarded a boat taxi to visit a local pub. The boat operator, who hadn’t disclosed the fare beforehand, stopped the vessel in open waters and demanded 400 baht per person for a one-way journey, refusing to continue until everyone paid. “The waves were strong, and we couldn’t turn back. Remembering the recent tragic incident where a Korean tourist died in a longtail boat accident, everyone felt compelled to pay,” the post stated. The post garnered widespread reactions, with commenters saying things like “Typical behavior,” “Are the police turning a blind eye again?” “This is practically piracy,” “These scammers are destroying our tourism reputation – they’ll be the ones complaining when tourists stop coming. Continues at https://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/socialmedia/2025/01/04/stranded-at-sea-tourists-forced-to-pay-on-koh-phangan-boats/

From Bangkok Post The temperature in Bangkok is expected to drop to a low of 15°C on Monday, lasting until Tuesday. Seree Supharathit, director of the Centre for Climate Change and Disaster at Rangsit University, on Sunday said temperatures were expected to drop over the next couple of days. Temperatures will fall by an additional 2-3°C, with the lowest in Bangkok and its adjacent areas possibly reaching 15°C. In the upper northern and northeastern regions, temperatures could drop to around 12°C. This cool weather is expected to last until around Jan 20, before starting to warm up. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2933371/bangkok-temperatures-expected-to-fall-to-15-c

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

From Associated Press Military-ruled Myanmar, already notorious for cracking down on free speech, has enacted a new cybersecurity law with wide-ranging controls on the flow of information, according to a text of the measure published Friday in state-run newspapers. Existing restrictions on freedom of expression under the ruling military have generally involved charges under broadly defined national security laws concerning online content. There have also been actions to block websites and apps at the network level, keeping end-users from accessing content the army doesn’t want them to see. Technology from China and Russia, the ruling military’s top allies, is used for monitoring and censorship purposes. The new law, which came into effect on Wednesday, has extensive provisions mainly targeting means of communications and providers of services such as virtual private networks — VPNs — that can help evade network blockages. VPNs connect users to their desired sites through third-party computers, effectively masking from internet service providers and snooping governments what content they are accessing.

Yes, and Dreamboy before that.

From CBS News Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared more than $400 million in assets on Friday, her party said, including more than 200 designer handbags worth over $2 million and at least 75 luxury watches valued at almost $5 million. Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of telecom billionaire and ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, took office in September as the fourth member of the clan to lead a Thai government in 20 years. Paetongtarn, now 38, also became Thailand's youngest leader at age 37 when she took office. Paetongtarn was obliged to declare her assets and liabilities to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). She identified 13.8 billion baht ($400 million) in assets, a document posted on media websites showed. Her investments were worth 11 billion baht and she had another billion baht in deposits and cash, her declaration said. Her other assets included 75 watches valued at 162 million baht and 39 more timepieces, plus 217 handbags worth 76 million baht, as well as property in London and Japan among other holdings. She also declared liabilities of nearly five billion baht, according to the NACC document posted by local media, giving her a net worth of 8.9 billion baht ($258 million). A representative from the Pheu Thai Party confirmed to AFP that the figures reported by Thai media were accurate. Her father and predecessor Thaksin -- who once owned Manchester City football club -- has a net worth of $2.1 billion, according to Forbes, making him the 10th-richest person in Thailand.

Fourth victim dies From Japan Daily News A Japanese man in his 30s who was taken to a hospital after being injured in a recent fire at a hotel in Bangkok has died, the Japanese Embassy in Thailand said Wednesday. The man was staying at the Ember Hotel near the popular tourism spot Khaosan Road when the fire broke out on the night of Dec. 29, Thai authorities said, adding he had been unconscious since inhaling smoke in the incident. A Japanese woman in her 30s who stayed in the same room with him has also been treated at a hospital after she inhaled smoke, they said. The fire, which started in a room on the fifth floor of the six-story building, left three others dead -- a Brazilian woman, a Ukrainian man and an American man -- and several injured, according to local media reports.

Former Thaksin aide to marry LT partner From Bangkok Post Former red-shirt core member Jakrapob Penkair has invited former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to witness his marriage registration this month, an event planned to celebrate the enactment of the Marriage Equality Bill. Mr Jakrapob, who served as an MP and spokesman for Thaksin from 2003-05, said he and his partner, Supraipol Chuaychoo, met Thaksin on Friday at the latter’s home in Bangkok to personally extend the invitation. “Thaksin was kind and gave me advice on the matter, including the auspicious timing for the event. He emphasised the importance of respecting traditional customs when selecting an auspicious time,” said Mr Jakrapob, who returned to Thailand in March after 15 years He and his partner have been together for over 23 years, a period that mirrors the prolonged push for legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Thailand. He also credited Thaksin for initiating the idea of recognising same-sex marriage in 2001, though the effort did not materialise due to opposition. A bill to recognise the LGBTQ+ community was proposed in 2013 during the Yingluck Shinawatra administration but ultimately failed. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2932897/jakrapob-invites-thaksin-to-his-same-sex-marriage-registration

Since they are from ASEAN countries, hope it has none.

From Thai PBS World The Thai navy is ready to retaliate against Myanmar’s navy if they intrude into Thai waters and attack Thai fishing boats, according to naval commander-in-chief Admiral Jirapol Wongwit today. In response to a report that Myanmar’s patrol boats attacked a group of Thai fishing vessels, in waters off Ranong province, seizing one boat and 31 crew on Saturday, Admiral Jirapol said that the Royal Thai Navy will have to ask Myanmar about the incident, to determine where exactly the attack took place and whether the attack was an overreaction, adding however that, if the Thai vessels were fishing in the Thai waters and were attacked, the Thai navy could respond in kind. Spokesman for the Thai Foreign Ministry, Nikorndej Balankura, said that the Thai Embassy in Myanmar has been instructed to ask Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry for an explanation of the incident. According to Thai fisheries officials, the incident took place at about 1am on Saturday, when three Myanmar patrol boats approached the Thai fishing flotilla near Phayam Island in Thai waters and opened fire. Two crewmen were killed, a Thai and a Burmese. One fishing boat was impounded, along with its 31 crew.

Find the face masks distracting.

It's been successfully used for more than a decade. Have posted about it in the past.

I'm always surprised that more venue operators of all stripes don't appreciate how efective an English language version of their site can be can be. I chock it up to the fact that English is not routinely taught in public school system.